Diamond Buying Guide

So you are getting ready to make one of the most important purchases of your life.

Buying a diamond can be very challenging, but following three very important guidelines can help to take the mystery and stress out of making your purchase.

First, know and trust your jeweler. De’S has been selling diamonds in the Hudson Valley since 1946. Family owned and operated, our best recommendation is our excellent reputation in the community.

Second, learn as much as you can about diamonds. De’S can help you with that, with an owner on premises at all times, who will be more than happy to help you in your search. You can also use our extensive reference materials below to begin learning about diamonds.

Third, find a jeweler who specializes in GIA or AGS certified diamonds, as De’S does. In that way you can compare value, quality and service. De’S diamonds are competitive with diamond district and internet pricing.

About our Diamonds…

De’S Jewelers only sources diamonds from dealers who adhere to the Industries’ Kimberley Process.

In December 2000 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution supporting the creation of an International Certification process for rough diamonds.

The Process (www.KimberleyProcess.com) imposes extensive requirements on its members to certify shipments of rough diamonds as “conflict free.” Kimberley Process members account for 99.8% of the global production of diamonds.

5C’S of Diamonds

Cut:
There is Cut. And then there is Cut.
Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond. Diamonds are cut into a number of shapes, depending on the nature of the rough stone. The most popular are round, princess, cushion, asscher, radiant and emerald, and the choice is largely a matter of personal preference. Whatever the shape, however, a well-cut diamond is the work of a master diamond cutter. When cut to good proportions, the diamond is better able to handle light, creating more scintillation, more sparkle. And that’s a great reflection on you.
It is the cut that enables a diamond to make the best use of light. 1. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone. 2. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion. 3. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.

Color:
Good Color is no Color.
Diamonds are found with a range of colors, from faint yellow or brown through to the very rare pinks, blues, greens and other colors know as “fancies.” However, the best color for a diamond is no color. It is a totally colorless diamond that allows white light to pass effortlessly through it and be dispersed as rainbows of color. And to give a woman such a diamond is to show your true colors.

Clarity:
A rarity.
To determine a diamond’s clarity, it is viewed under 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Most diamonds contain very tiny natural inclusions. However, the fewer and smaller the inclusions are, the less likely it is that they will interfere with the passage of light through the diamond, and the more beautiful the diamond will be. Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance. A diamond that is free of interior or exterior inclusions is very rare and therefore more valuable. So, the clearer the diamond, the clearer your choice.

Carat-Weight:
Bigger is Bigger (not necessarily better).
The weight of the diamond is measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 “points.” A diamond of 75 points weighs .75 carats. Carat weight is the easiest of the 4C’s to determine. But two diamonds of equal weight have very unequal value, depending on their cut, color, and clarity. Fine quality can be found in diamonds of all shapes and sizes.

Cost:
This is the C that most jewelers don’t like to talk about.
How much is that beautiful diamond ring going to cost me? At De’S Jewelers you will never pay the full suggested list price for your mounting, we always offer you a savings. The Exclusive De’S line of bridal rings are every bit as stunning as any of the well-known designers, from halos to solitaires, at a fraction of the prices they command. And, De’S rings are manufactured in America and can be customized to suit your specifications affordably. De’S offers complete diamond engagement rings from $1,000 to the “sky’s the limit”!